Membership / How to Join Keele World Affairs

Q: Who can join Keele World Affairs?

The World Affairs programme is open to the general public without geographical restriction. However it is an educational class with the ethos that members are required to support the series regularly.

The main exclusion is students at Keele University, who have their own academic lectures.

Q: Do I have to attend all the lectures or can I pick and choose?

Members sign up for the year’s programme and though it may be difficult to attend every single lecture, this should be your aim, and we have preference for new members who will attend at least 16 of the 24 meetings each season. We need to preclude applicants who have other regular commitments on Thursday evenings (October to March) and we also wish to avoid a member joining and simply cherry-picking one or two ‘famous’ speakers.  We recognise that we are asking for a big commitment, so please give it serious consideration before you apply. 

Q: What do you mean by the Keele World Affairs ethos?

Because our members attend frequently and also meet over coffee, there is a sense of community, of shared interests, and active discussion of the programme topics.  We want members who listen carefully and have the confidence to ask both simple and searching questions so you need to be a ‘regular’ to participate fully in our activities.

We are autonomous and self-managing and a 24-lecture series with up to 400 people attending each week requires a lot of effort.  So please be prepared to help where you have skills to contribute.

Eminent speakers are always impressed by the size of the audience, the atmosphere, and the questioning so you should be looking to make your own contribution once you have attended your first few meetings.

Q: May I attend as a guest of a member?

Members are asked not to bring guests as this could cause an imbalance in numbers and seating problems.  All attendees should possess a Keele World Affairs membership card for the season.

Q: How much does membership cost?

Our policy is to keep the membership fee as low as possible so that Keele World Affairs is accessible to all members of the community.

Currently individual membership costs £28 [£18 for retired individuals] for the series of lectures listed on our website for autumn and spring terms. By any standards, this is a remarkably low cost for 24 stimulating and interesting events.

Note: If any special events are planned, there may be a separate charge.

Q: How do I register/apply?

23/9/2013: Due to limited seating capacity, we are not approving any further applications for membership at present. We will review the position at the end of October 2013. You may continue to complete an application form but we are unable to say when further members will be admitted.

  1. Click on this link and complete the form
  2. You will receive an acknowledgement of your completed application.
  3. When we can increase membership, we will contact you again.
  4. If you change your mind, please email us and we will remove your details from the waiting list.

Q: Do I need to be on email?

Increasingly we use email and our website to enhance the experience of members and keep them in close touch with the programme.  We have a few members who do not use computers and we provide supporting printed material where we can. However you will get the most out of membership if you read and respond to our emails and regularly visit our website. 

Q: How/when will I pay?

When you are first offered membership, you will receive an email asking you to pay online.  To reduce the considerable burden of administration for such a large group, you will also be asked to set up a continuing online direct debit permitting Keele World Affairs to collect your annual subscription automatically.  It is easy to terminate this agreement if you cease to be a member.  There is also a credit card/debit card/PayPal option though direct debit is the preferred method.

From 2014 onwards members not on email are asked to set up bank mandates.

Keele World Affairs seeks regular feedback from its members. It conducts member surveys (paper and online) and is grateful for the support it receives from Snap Surveys, the leading UK research services company.